In a show that blends comedy and musical theatre, a struggling playwright’s earworm manifests itself as the fully grown, narcissistic, early 20th century writer Ernest Hemingway. This hilarious and satirical tale of a playwright with writer’s block and an impending deadline takes you on a journey of discovery leading back to the resounding advice of ‘believe in yourself’ and you can achieve anything.
Erin Quinlan is haunted by a crippling deadline as she tries to craft a finale song for a new musical. Just when she thinks the mental limitations can’t become much worse, Hemingway arrives. His intense egoism as a “Pulitzer and Nobel Prize winner”, against the sadness of a girl whose big dreams fall short of her reality, makes for cleverly comedic conversations between the two in Quinlan’s head.
The sentimentality of the performance shines through, with the pangs of imposter syndrome felt by the struggling writer coming across as relatable to the audience, with them willing her not to listen to critical Hemingway and finish the song.
Both performers are very charismatic, with the sharp wit of the actor playing Hemingway truly absorbing us into the chaotic world of a writer’s office. The self-deprecating humour of the performance makes the finale all the more uplifting, in which writer and Hemingway decide to work together rather than in opposition, with an unexpected musical theatre number closing the show.
Quinlan’s voice shines in this small and intimate venue, making the close of the show quite a spectacle with top hats and canes, as well as some synchronised choreography, bringing this delightfully immersive show to an end.
The natural wit of Hemingway quotations, and the clever writing from Quinlan, makes for a masterful two-hander in this gripping tale of self-criticism that illustrates the power others can wield over us, even when they are dead obnoxious authors. As a love letter to writers we memorialise, this hilarious double act truly captures the spirit of following your dreams no matter what, or who, decides to get in the way.
Brain Hemingway is on at Greenside @ Nicolson Square – Fern Studio at 5:30pm from 10 till 26 August (not 13 or 20). Tickets are available here: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/brain-hemingway.
Image provided as press material.